Miraculous recovery: Cliff fall teen Blake Hayes to walk out of hospital aided only by a crutch

The community held their breath when news broke of a teenage boy who’d fallen from Warriewood Blowhole but Blake Hayes will walk out of hospital.

Blake Hayes is air lifted from the cliff base at Warriewood. Picture: Adam Ward

The community held their breath when news broke of a teenage boy who’d fallen from Turimetta Headland.

But almost three months to the day, Blake Hayes will walk out of the hospital aided only by a crutch.

Hayes, 17, spent 54 days in Royal North Shore Hospital, where he had multiple surgeries, six weeks of bed rest and intensive rehabilitation but is on his way to making a full recovery.

Step dad Jason Bowman said the family was going to celebrate the milestone at home with Hayes’ best friends, family and the courageous local guys who were first on the scene after the accident.

Blake Hayes broke two arms when he fell from a cliff at Turimetta Headland on the northern beaches.

Blake Hayes is air lifted from the cliff base at Warriewood. Picture: Adam Ward

“It is amazing that he’s going home today,” Mr Bowman said. “He’s been through more than a week in ICU, he had 20 hours of surgery in the first day and a half ... and had six weeks’ of bed rest where he couldn’t sit up more than 30 degrees.

“Then I had the pleasure of helping him have his first shower about two weeks ago — he just sat under the water for about half an hour — and his recovery progressed quite quickly from there. It’s miraculous.”

Blake’s mates Michael Byron, Matt Marlin, Blake Morgan, Kai Morgan and Jonathon Aukett.Blake Morgan, who scrambled down the rocks to help save him after he fell. PIcture: Bradley Hunter

Warriewood Blowhole on Turimetta headland.

Mr Bowman said it was heartwarming to see him walk again.

“He can hobble on a crutch but he’s still only using 50 per cent of his left leg while his pelvis heals,” Mr Bowman said.

“He understands what happened and he’s looking forward to going home. He’s in a good place about it.”

“The action taken by the boys who were first on the scene, Warriewood surf lifesavers, emergency rescue and medical teams at Royal North Shore Hospital ensured that Blake was able to make a miraculous recovery.”

As for the family, he said everyone was looking forward to settling into a more normal routine.

“Between his mum Prue, his dad Lee Hayes and myself, we worked it out so someone was always with Blake.

“Day and night, there was always someone there so he was never anxious. It’s been a long stretch and we’re all happy he’s coming home.”